FALLOUT

05.09.12

Greek Far-Left Leader Vows Unity

Kostas Tsironis, AFP / Getty Images

The leader of the Greek far left, who has been tasked with forming the country’s government, said that although he finds the European Union’s bailout terms “barbaric,” he will meet with pro-bailout parties on Wednesday. If the two sides fail to come to an agreement, Greece could have fresh elections in a few weeks. Alexis Tsipras has said he wants to move away from the harsh austerity plans, even if it means abandoning the EU bailout commitments—despite Germany’s declaration on Tuesday that if Greece fails to meet its bailout terms, it will not receive any aid. Greek media reported that Tsipras’s reform plans have the support of the smaller left-wing party, the Democratic Left, and he secured agreement from Greece’s center-right party on Tuesday.